Netherlands commits to support Vietnam in flood mitigation

The Netherlands has affirmed its support to Vietnam in water management, flood mitigation, and climate change response. (Photo: VNA)

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NDO – The Netherlands wants to explore and cooperate with Vietnam in the fields of water management, flood mitigation and responding to climate change, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag has affirmed.

Speaking at a press brief in Ho Chi Minh City, on February 7, regarding her ongoing visit to Vietnam, Minister Kaag said that Vietnam and the Netherlands share several similarities as they are both deltas and are faced with challenges brought about by climate change, so they need to limit and adapt to such impacts.

As most of its land is below sea level, the Netherlands faces a major challenge in terms of water management but it has been recognised as a country which is renowned for its implementation of water management initiatives. Furthermore, the European country also has a number of solutions for effective flood control.

The Netherlands is committed to working closely with the Vietnamese government to further deepen their bilateral cooperation, while creating favourable conditions for hi-tech enterprises in the field of water management and flood control of both sides to cooperate and solve issues related to flooding in urban areas in Vietnam, said Minister Kaag.

On the same day, the Dutch Minister examined the challenges facing Vietnam in water management through her field trip to the Saigon River. Dutch businesses and institutes in the field of water management have been linked to local partners during the visit.

Vietnam is the first foreign country that Minister Kaag has visited since taking office in October last year, demonstrating her special interest in expanding the cooperation between the two countries.

The Netherlands is now Vietnam's largest trading partner in Europe and the No. 1 European investor in Vietnam, with an annual investment of US$8 billion.